8 bits vs 16

[BillS22]

I shot in RAW and can import either 16 bit or 8.

Am I better off to import at 16 bits?

I noticed when I do import at 16 bits I can't use every editing tool, yet in 8 bits I can.

Why is that?

[Wendy]

Hi Bill,

... and welcome to the forum :)

PSE3 only has limited functionality in 16 bit so that is the reason why some of the tools don't work you only get full functionality with Photoshop itself. I'm afraid that shooting in Raw isn't something I have tried yet but it is covered in the online classes on the site.

Hopefully someone who uses Raw maybe able to help you further.


Wendy

[Chris Bishop]

Use 16 bit while you can then convert to 8 bit for the remainder.
RAW converts even suggest converting an 8 bit jpeg to 16 bit tiff/psd to work on it . Watch a histogram as you alter it in both modes.
After any manipulation you need to close the histogram screen down then open it again. ( I dont know why -it bugs me)
8 bit will appear like a hedgehogs back ( Does that word travel?)
Chris

[BillS22]

Thanks for the replies.

I have a few more work-flow questions

The RAW converter that came with my camera does save to TIFF, either 24bit or 48bit. I suppose that 24 bit is good enough because PS3 only supports 16bit.

So I might as well import through PS3 and save to TIFF?

Another issue - My camera will shoot Adobe RGB. Will PS3 support Adobe RGB?

[Scuba Stan]

Yes E3 works in RGB. I shot almost totaly in raw as it gives me much more control with white balance and other factors. I only convert to 8 bit if I have to so that I can use layers. Most of the time I don't need to convert. Once you convert to 8 bits you can not go back to 16 bits.
Scuba Stan

[TonyW]

The RAW converter that came with my camera does save to TIFF, either 24bit or 48bit. I suppose that 24 bit is good enough because PS3 only supports 16bit.

Seems to me that I read somewhere that when they say 24 or 48 bit they really mean 8 or 16 bit as they're counting the 3 channels - so saving as a 24 bit TIFF is really only saving an 8 bit image.

Tony

[BillS22]

Tony! Nice gallery!

I may have muddied up the waters. I just started using RawShooter as my RAW editer. I'm not sure what it sends to PS3. I think 16bit.

Anyway, thanks all. I just need to play around and LEARN!

[Wendy]

Hi Bill,

I find that the best way to learn is simply to jump in and try out different methods. :)

Wendy